MH-225 The Opus - Breathing LessonsAfter locking themselves in their Chicago studio with a mountain of dusty vinyl and two lifetimes worth of musical inspiration, the Opus have finally emerged to deliver Breathing Lessons a mesmerizing collection of reflective, instrumental hip-hop. Using their signature palette of chopped percussion and intricate drum programming as base materials, they expand their compositions, adding layers of strings, detuned piano, analog synths, floor rumbling bass, and reverb to haunting effect. Although the all-too-brief vocal appearance of Lord 360 reminds listeners of their productions for MCs on Rubberoom’s Architechnology and their own 2002 debut First Contact, this release is clearly intent on establishing the Opus as a production duo capable of creating music that stands on its own.

The Opus' Mr. Echoes and the Isle of Weight are two of the most brilliant beatmakers working in hip-hop circa 2003. The duo, who has collaborated with artists including Aesop Rock, Murs, Meat Beat Manifesto, and Slug (of Atmosphere), uses its signature chopped drums on Breathing Lessons, but they layer it with strings, untuned piano, analog synths, and bass to create a haunting and disturbing vision. Hardly related to popular dance-based hip-hop (their sound is actually closer to dark drum and bass), their intricate drum programming still manages to be engaging ("Mission Control"), propulsive ("Earthwalker"), and old-school, despite its relentlessly forward-thinking, spacey groove. Maybe far less accessible then their productions for emcees on Rubberoom's Architechnology and their own debut, First Contact, Breathing Lessons is still a moody and original hip-hop record that hints at the broad scope of the genre. These guys should be scoring Hollywood's biggest and best sci-fi films. - All Music Guide